Sustainable – Page 21

Leopard Hill

Seated in a secluded valley, Leopard Hill looks down on a series of waterholes, providing ample opportunities to view game from the comfort of your accommodation. The lodge is nestled amongst a grove of fig trees which hold spiritual significance for the local Maasai people. A remarkable fig tree, known as the “Double Tree” sits close to Leopard Hill and was split in two by a bolt of lightning in the 1950s. Sunrises shine through this marvellous and idiosyncratic tree, painting a remarkable silhouette upon the backdrop of the spectacular morning skies. The luxury tents at Leopard Hill impress the guests with their motorised roofs which can retract to unveil the magisterial milky way at night. The seclusion of this remote valley provides astonishing stargazing opportunities in a landscape devoid of light pollution, and guests find themselves immersed in a naturalistic retreat which connects them to the beauty of Africa.

Kicheche Valley Camp

Kicheche Valley Camp, nestled in a woodland of acacia trees, is located in the exclusive and protected Naboisho Conservancy. Guests are guaranteed privacy and seclusion, as this conservancy is a low tourist density area. The camp blends into the wildlife, allowing guests to feel at one and in the heart of nature. Luxury without being excessive, the camp is comfortable and intimate, with only 6 tents set on platforms, with wide floor to ceiling windows affording almost 180° views of the vast plains from the comfort of your bed. Guests will not leave disappointed as the conservancy has a dense game population, including the highest density of giraffes in the Maasai Mara ecosystem and other animals such as lion, buffalo, zebra and various species of bird such as the cattle egret and green sandpiper.

Mara Nyika Camp

Mara Nyika Camp is set nestled into a small woodland of umbrella thorn trees in the exclusive and protected Mara Naboisho Conservancy. This is an intimate and luxury camp, only accommodating 10 guests when at full capacity making this the perfect spot for a quiet but exciting safari experience, uninterrupted by large numbers of people. Suites are accessed by wooden walkways, and are on raised platforms affording stunning views over the vast rolling plains. The décor is comfortable, warm and traditional with a touch of luxury, explaining the Relais and Chateaux property recognition.

Naboisho Camp

On the plains of the renowned Naboisho Conservancy, Encounter Mara sits near the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and is host to the Big 5 and a plethora of vibrant wildlife. The landscape of the Naboisho Conservancy is a lush haven for animals, and its exclusivity makes for some of the most stunning game viewing in the region with a diminished human presence. The luxury tents of the camp are set in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy, where tranquil privacy allows guests to recline in secluded luxury. Attentive staff are happy to tailor a unique experience for travellers visiting Encounter Mara, and are the backbone of the award-winning eco-camp.

Basecamp Masai Mara

Along the banks of the Talek River, Basecamp Masai Mara has made its home. Guests find their sanctum alongside this thriving ecosystem in the world famous Masai Mara. Frequent guests to the Talek River are the exhilarating copper tail and vervet monkeys of the Masai Mara, who never fail to entertain and delight with their primate wit, and invariably their indelible capacity for mischief! With over 286 species of bird nearby, guests are greeted by a symphonic dawn chorus each morning, commencing the day with the rejuvenating songs of the savannah. Guest tents are all fitted with bio-flush toilets and solar-heated safari showers, and feature a balcony overlooking the great Masai Mara reserve. King-sized or Double Twin beds come as standards in all of the basecamp’s tents, and the blend of African naturalism with carefully curated minimalist aesthetics make for a stylish and idiosyncratic inflection of the surrounding landscape.

Ngare Serian

Ngare Serian is the embodiment of the vision to bring the tranquillity of the original Serian camp to the banks of the Mara River, with ‘Ngare’ meaning ‘by the river’. Nestled within the private Mara North Conservancy with just 4 tents, you’re guaranteed a stay that brings exclusivity, relaxation and safari luxury to a new height. The moment you step across the rope bridge you feel as if you’re stepping into new world where all that matters is the sound of the river and the moment. Whether you’re with family or friends or going solo, you’ll find the perfect little hideaway where you can reconnect with nature and discover a newfound appreciation for the simpler delights of life on safari.

Saruni Mara

Saruni Mara Camp is a small boutique lodge in the heart of the private Mara North Conservancy (MNC), the only one of its kind in the Mara and is marked out by the vibrant character of its Italian owners. Combining its exclusive location and maximum of just 18 guests, you’re promised an authentic Maasai-led and undisturbed safari experience without any of the hassle that comes from high-density tourism. The MNC is home to all kinds of wildlife and you’re guaranteed viewings of an exceptional quality that not many camps can promise.

Mahali Mzuri

Mahali Mzuri is a luxury safari camp on the beautiful plains of Kenya, with a front-row seat within the private Olara Motorogi Conservancy. There are just 12 tents on the camp, each with its own expanse of land, so this is the perfect destination for a laid-back and secluded getaway. The camp can cater up to 24 guests at a time. Staying at Mahali Mzuri is a wonderful opportunity to see the Great Wildebeest Migration and other stars of Kenyan wildlife, including lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, cheetahs and more.

Angama Mara

Balanced on the verge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, between heaven and earth, Angama Mara overlooks the vast plains of the Maasai Mara. This eagerly sought-out destination has everything one could possibly need for a perfect getaway – two separate and intimate camps, with 15 glass-fronted tented suites each, a private airfield and prime access to the Mara, custom-made safari days and all the warmth and hospitality that Kenya is known for. Angama Mara has an evocative power over its visitors, with guests having described a “dreamlike” feeling, a sense immediate connection, or of returning to somewhere they have never been. Reaching 300 metres above the Maasai Mara, Angama hangs in the balance of romantic escapism and authentic safari, nurturing a feeling of being where one is meant to be.

Mara Expedition Camp

Mara Expedition Camp offers a chic, nostalgic and adventurous experience. It is unique to the industry and sits perfectly with the expert hospitality, specialised guiding and design that have become signature to the Great Plains Conservation. Guests visiting here will get the best of both safari worlds – the vibrant Maasai Mara ecosystem and the more private 70,000-acre Mara North Conservancy. The core of the camp’s ethos is the learning from and respecting of nature, where the Maasai Mara itself is the teacher. Unlike some other locations, there is a higher density of predators in the area so there is a constant reminder that the wilderness is not ours and must be respected at all times.